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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Psychometric Properties of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to Detect Major Neurocognitive Disorder Among
Beniam Daniel1, Liyew Agenagnew1, Abdulhalik Workicho2
1Department of Psychiatry, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Background:
Cognition is one of the most complex functions of the human brain, and major neurocognitive disorders affect this function causing a wide array of problems in an individual's life. Screening for major neurocognitive disorders can be helpful in designing and implementing early interventions.
Purpose:
This study was designed to assess the reliability and validity of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool to detect major neurocognitive disorders among older people in Ethiopia.
Methods:
One hundred and sixteen randomly selected older adults in Ethiopia were involved in a cross-sectional study. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for major neurocognitive disorders was used as a gold standard. Data were analyzed using STATA v16 statistical software. Receiver operating curve analysis was performed, and inter-rater, internal consistency reliabilities, content, criterion and construct validities were determined. Statistically significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05.
Results:
The study had a 100% response rate. The mean age of the study participants was 69.87 ± 7.8. The inter-rater reliability value was 0.96, and Cronbach's alpha was 0.79. The optimal cutoff value was ≤21, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment has an area under curve value of 0.89. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and positive and negative predictive values of MoCA are 87.18%, 74.03%, 3.35, 0.17, 63%, and 91.9%, respectively. The tool also has good concurrent and construct validities.
Conclusion:
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool was a reliable and valid tool to detect major neurocognitive disorder. It can be incorporated into the clinical and research practices in developing countries.
